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When I think of the term liberal, this Phil Ochs song, adapted by Jello Biafra comes to mind. One verse and the chorus...
I go to pro-choice rallies
Recycle my cans and jars
I'll honk if you love the Dead
Hope those funny grunge bands become stars
But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far
So love me, love me, love me
I'm a liberal
I've always thought liberal was the watered down, centrist portion of the left. It's interesting to hear the term progressive as it was used by the likes of Clinton. I must say, that's the reverse of my perception. It's a label the right has built up quite a negative brand around and that the left finds too wussy itself...
Semantically, it may be more appropriate, but I do also see the point that being "liberal" is too easily associated with liberal use of drugs, liberal spending of taxpayer money, etc. As a democrat in my ealy 30s, the only reason I have ever identified with "liberal" is in reaction to conservative attacks on the label...
